Best Snow Gear For Mitigating Backcountry Avalanche Risks

Avalanches are a risk for those who venture into the winter wilderness. Advances in backcountry safety have led to new technology and tools, including ski packs, probes, shovels, and snow saws. In our Buyer’s Guide, we’ll discuss the best gear for mitigating avalanche risks.

Picture yourself in a serene alpine wilderness, the crisp chill of winter surrounding you as you effortlessly glide on your skis over a breathtaking expanse of fresh snow. There are no signs of human presence, only the untouched ruggedness of the mountains waiting to be explored. You have complete freedom to wander and uncover new marvels, fully immersed in the beauty of nature for as long as you desire.

The idea of skiing in the backcountry is more appealing than ever. By steering clear of busy resorts, you can avoid any unwanted interaction with others and instead fully immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings and stunning landscapes that make backcountry trips so enticing. Whether you are alone or accompanied by a small group of loved ones, less company means more enjoyment when venturing out into the wild.

While you may think that venturing away from the resort means escaping danger, that is not always the case. It is important to plan ahead and be prepared with safety equipment and training before straying too far off the familiar path. Wearing bright gear and carrying a beacon can be life-saving in the wilderness. And let’s not forget, even something as simple as a minor injury can become fatal when help is far out of reach. So don’t pat yourself on the back for avoiding a bear only to collide with a tree while skiing!

Not only is the terrain treacherous, but it also poses a constant danger. If you were thinking “earthquakes,” you’re not too far off. Avalanches are a common occurrence in the mountains and can happen unexpectedly. Fortunately, there are training courses available to help hikers recognize dangerous conditions. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) offers a series of classes that cover topics such as identifying hazardous conditions, making decisions when near avalanche-prone areas, selecting safe routes, and assessing snowpacks.

Guided Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Trip Packages

Whether you’re a beginner looking to get your AIARE 1 Avalanche certification, or an intermediate to advanced backcountry user looking for guided trips with famed traverses and epic big-mountain descents, we’ve got you covered.

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Avalanche Preparedness

The mere thought of avalanches is enough to make anyone uneasy, particularly for those who venture into the wilderness during winter. The importance of backcountry safety and avalanche response has sparked advancements in technology and gear. From ski packs to probes, shovels, and snow saws, there are now countless tools available for safe backcountry travel. In the following section, we will discuss the most effective equipment for minimizing the dangers posed by avalanches.

It’s crucial that all members of your group carry essential avalanche rescue gear and know how to use it.

Beacon (AKA Avalanche Transciever):

Beacons are an essential piece of avalanche mitigation. The user wears the beacon close to the body, and the transceiver sends out near-constant radio signals. In the case of an avalanche, party members can switch to “search” mode in order to locate the radio signals coming from a potential avalanche victim. Speed is everything when rescuing fellow backcountry skiers, and Beacons, when used properly, can make the difference between a rescue and a recovery. Check out this informative REI article (Irons, n.d.) for more information on Beacons and how to choose one.

Black Diamond Recon X Avalanche Beacon

The Recon X avalanche beacon includes Bluetooth for easy management from your phone and has a 60-meter range with three antennas for precise searching. Its streamlined design is ideal for backcountry travelers, and the lightweight harness-style pouch allows for quick access during practice or emergencies.

Photo: Black Diamond

Shop Now! Price: $349.95 at REI Co-op and Black Diamond

Black Diamond Guide BT Avalanche Beacon

The Black Diamond Guide BT beacon is the top-of-the-line avalanche beacon in the industry. With a wide 60-meter range, it can mark and scan for multiple burials with ease. Its auto antenna switch ensures the strongest signal is sent, while the Bluetooth capabilities allow for remote management of settings, updates, and battery optimization through a smartphone. The housing has soft-touch contact points for better handling and the beacon also features a self-check function to ensure accurate readings.

Digital Signal Processing technology accounts for any stray beacon signals, making this beacon both reliable and efficient. It comes with a harness-style carrying pouch for comfortable and quick access during practice or emergency situations.

Photo: Black Diamond

Feartures:

Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Transceiver

The newest version of the Barryvox® device features a combination of digital and analog technology, along with three antennas. With its wide receiving bandwidth and search strip width of 70 meters, the Barryvox® S offers users a simple interface and easy-to-use operation. Its Smart Search function gives clear instructions through a user-friendly design for quick and accurate search results.

The device also has a Rescue SEND feature to protect non-searching rescuers in case of a secondary avalanche. In this situation, the device will automatically switch to sending signals in order to find buried individuals. Additionally, the Barryvox® S has an interactive Smart Search function that works alongside searching rescuers for more efficient rescue efforts.

Mammut’s legendary Barryvox® S combines formidable search power with unparalleled intuitive handling, for a device that helps you make smart decisions fast, even in the most demanding circumstances. Photo: Mammut

Features:

• Advanced beacon for dedicated backcountry skiers and splitboarders
• Triple antenna boasts a massive 70-meter range in digital mode
• Pro search option switches to analog for an even greater range
• Smart search with dynamic icon assists with guidance while searching
• Easy-to-see display shows distance, direction, and victim number
• Auto switch from search to send after 4 minutes of no movement
• Display screen is slightly larger than the standard Barryvox
• Ergonomic housing is impact- and break-proof for reliability

Shop Now! Price: $549.95 at Backcountry, evo and Mammut

Shovel:

In the scary scenario that someone in your party has been swept up in an avalanche, everyone will be expected to help excavate. You can’t excavate without a shovel; they are mandatory. Check out this REI article (Irons, n.d.) on snow shovels, their types, and what to look for when purchasing.

Black Diamond Transfer Shovel

The Black Diamond Transfer Shovel has been redesigned to include a more robust and ergonomic extendable handle, as well as a high-volume blade profile. With its UIAA certification, this shovel is designed to efficiently remove large amounts of snow while taking up minimal space. The sturdy, sleek blade ensures clean walls in your snow pit, and the versatile design makes it suitable for all types of backcountry situations.

Photo: Black Diamond

Shop Now! Price: $64.95 Backcountry, REI Co-op, and Black Diamond

Mammut Alugator Ultra – Ultralightweight Avalanche Shovel

The Alugator Ultra, winner of the 2023 ISPO Award, is the lightest aluminum shovel available due to innovative design and materials. Made with aerospace grade 7075 aluminum, it has a welded construction and 1mm blade thickness for maximum performance without added weight. Its telescopic shaft and symmetrical T-grip make it easy to use in emergency situations, and its compact design allows it to fit into small backpacks. It meets high safety standards and is UIAA certified for efficient rescue and durability.

Photo: Mammut

Shop Now! Price: $119.95 Backcountry,  and Mammut

Probe:

Within the avalanche mitigation world, probes are often overlooked but have been proven to shave full minutes off of rescue times if used appropriately. Check out this article by EVO (EVO, n.d.) detailing probes and how to choose one. The top three probes below are listed out with aluminum and carbon options where available. Carbon is the stronger material, but drives up the price.

Black Diamond Quickdraw Carbon Probe 240

The Black Diamond Quickdraw Carbon Probe 240 is their lightest probe yet, adding only eight ounces to your pack. It features CordLock technology for a faster and easier rescue system, with a wiregate locking mechanism and updated Kevlar cord. The slightly oversized tip reduces friction for more precise probing.

Photo: Black Diamond

Shop Now! Price: $99.95 at Black Diamond

Backcountry Access Stealth Probe

Photo by Backcountry Access.

• Good: Lightweight, fast release, compact

• Bad: Size options vary from retailer to retailer, not compatible with all backcountry packs

• Price: $90 for carbon based 240 cm EVO

Combo Packages:

All this and more, for the price of one! It’s tempting to bulk-buy avy gear so we can spend less time researching but know that a combination package may come with two stellar items and one less than stellar item, so be on the lookout for individual product reviews before you buy a set. Having said that, the options below do a good job of kitting you up quickly.

BCA’s Transceiver/Probe/Shovel package:

Photo by BCA.

• Description: Cheaper option, reliable gear, not top of the line but functional

• Price: $385.00at Moosejaw

Black Diamonds Recon BT Avy Safety Set:

Photo by Black Diamond.

• Description: Great, rounded set for recreational touring.

• Price: $419.00 at evo and Black Diamond

Black Diamonds Guide BT Avy Safety Set:

Photo by Black Diamond.

• Description: burly, with probe and shovel that may be too much for casual recreationists, must have for professionals

• Price: $549.00 at Black Diamond and REI

Radio:

Radios are super helpful whether you’re in-bounds or out in the great wild yonder. Below are three reliable options for keeping your group connected and communicating. Check out this REI expert article (REI, n.d.) dedicated to helping you decide what kind of radio you may need. Another great resource is Outdoor Gear Labs Walkie-Talkie comparison (Grandy, 2020).

Backcounty BC Link 2.0

Photo by Backcountry Access.

• Range: Usable (6 miles line of sight), Max (40 miles line of sight)

• Battery Life: Avg (80 hrs.), Max (400 hrs.)

• Price: $189.95 REI

• Bottom Line: This radio rocks, it is expensive (the listed price is for one radio), heavy and the connection between the pieces can pop out if not secured correctly but it’s clear signal and great battery life trump all other concerns. Additionally, it performs very well when obstacles separate people like trees, ridges or other natural features.

Motorola T600

Photo by Motorola.

• Range: 35 miles straight line of sight, has trouble with topographical variance

• Battery Life: Avg. 9-11 hrs, Max. 23 hrs

• Price: $119.95 REI

• Bottom Line: A great second to the BC Link, the radio is intended for water use so wet, spring snow shouldn’t impact usability. However, users have reported occasional waterproof defaults in the design, and the battery life is not great.

Midland X-Talker T10

Photo by Midland.

• Range: Max. 20 miles

• Battery Life: 20 hrs. (needs three AAA batteries, not included)

• Price: ~30.00 REI and Midland

• Bottom Line: For someone on a budget, you can’t beat this radio. It’s compact, easy to understand and has a great battery life. The range, while up to 20 miles, tends to fail before that and can be a problem in backcountry situations. For the day spring skier and a small squad that sticks close together, this is a hard option to pass up.

Backcountry Ski Pack:

For all the gear mentioned above, you’ll need a sturdy pack to carry it all in. Is it possible to use a summer backpack? Sure, but the options below have been specifically designed to help the backcountry adventurist get out there without sacrificing functionality. The list is not all inclusive, but will give you a great head start on your search for the ideal backcountry pack. A couple of great resources to use when expanding your search include Gear Junkies Best Ski Backpack Review (Bouchard, 2021), and Switchback Travels Best Ski Backpacks of 2021 (Switchback Travel Staff, 2021).

Note: L. equals liters.

Day Touring:

Black Diamond Dawn Patrol

Photo by Black Diamond.

• The Good: Fits most everything for big single days in the backcountry

• The Bad: Expensive, less supportive under heavier loads, not for multi-day.

• The Price: 32 L. $169.95 EVO, Black Diamond 25 L. $149.95 Black Diamond

Dakine Heli Pro 20 L

Photo by Dakine.

• The Good: Multiple options for attaching skis, deep pockets, dedicated avalanche tools pocket.

• The Bad: Small, only recommended for day use.

• The Price: ~$100 at EVO,  Women’s REI

Deuter Freeride Pro 34 L

Photo by Deuter.

• The Good: Excellent snowboard holds, packs down to fit most day touring, price reasonable

• The Bad: Uncomfortable for taller people, not ideal for more committed days

• The Price: $130.00 for both Men’s REI, and Women’s REI

Multi-Day Touring:

Black Diamond Cirque 45L

Photo by Black Diamond.

• The Good: A true multi-day winter backpack with many features, will fit all avy gear and overnight gear.

• The Bad: Heavy and bulky, not for resort or single day backcountry use, more expensive than smaller packs

• The Price: $220.00 at Moosejaw, and Black Diamond

Advanced:

Once you have your finger on the pulse of backcountry skiing, there are additional add-ons that will help you go steeper and farther. These include (but are not limited to) Ice Axe/Mountaineering Axe, Crampons (remember, they need to be compatible with ski or snowboard boots), Avalanche Airbags, Slope meters, 4-Season Tents (Nicholson, 11/2020), and other Backcountry accessories. Each item (like those listed above) comes with a ton of options and varieties. The name of the game with backcountry is patience; take your time and do the research. Spontaneity is usually frowned upon when in avalanche country; taking deliberate steps towards your goals helps guarantee you’ll be able to ski backcountry for years. Failure to do so could lead to abrupt and dramatic consequences.

Conclusion

Backcountry skiing is a challenging yet increasingly popular outdoor activity. The dangers are plentiful, but the benefits make it all worthwhile. After reading the information provided above, you have taken an important first step in determining your approach to backcountry skiing. However, please keep in mind that this article only covers gear and offers three options for each item. For a more comprehensive understanding of gear options, use the resources listed below. It is also essential for aspiring backcountry skiers to remember that purchasing gear is just one aspect of preparing for this activity. Proper planning, suitable company, and having all necessary gear are crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience.